ApolloniusTyaneus

, a noted impostor, was a
native of Tyana, in Cappadocia, and born some years before the Christian sera. He studied the philosophy of
Pythagoras in his infancy, and professed it during his
| whole life. He practised every rigid precept of abstinence,
gave his property to the poor, lived in the temples, quelled
seditions, and instructed the people with persuasive force
and suavity. He affected a preciseness and mystery when
he spoke, which made a wonderful impression on the vulgar; all the world, we are told, followed him: artizans
quitted their employments; cities sent deputations to him,
and even the oracles chaunted his praises. He made disciples even-where: he conversed with the brachmans of
India, the magi of Persia, and the gymnosophists of Egypt,
compelling all to admire him. At Nineveh, at Ephesus, at
Smyrna, at Athens, at Corinth, and other cities of Greece,
he preached his doctrines, condemning amusements, visiting the temples, correcting the public morals, and recommending the reformation of all abuses. At Rome, wfcere
he said he came to see what sort of an animal a tyrant was,
he inveighed against the bagnios with great severity.
Having accidentally met the funeral of a young lady of
consular family, he approached the bier, and after speaking some words in a low voice, the dead arose and went
back to her father’s house. Her parents offered him a
large sum, which he refused. Here also he pretended to
utter prophecies. The emperor Vespasian was so much
his dupe, as to ask his advice, which he gave in his usual
imposing manner. This he had done at. other courts, and
most absurd stones are told of his wisdom, and prophetic
gifts. Domitian, however, confined him for some time in
prison, and after his release he died, about the end of the
first century. Statues were erected, and divine honours
paid to him. One Datnis, the partner in his impositions,
wrote his life, but it was more fully written by Philostratus,
who lived 200 years after. It is among Philostratns’s
works, with some letters attributed to Apollonius. The
heathens were fond of opposing the pretended miracles
of this man to those of our Saviour: and by a treatise
which Eusebius wrote against one Hierocles, we find that
the drift of the latter, in the treatise which Eusebius refutes, had been to draw a parallel betwixt Jesus Christ and
Apollonius, in which he gives the preference to this philosopher.

Mr. Du Pin has written a confutation of “Pbilostratus’s
Life of Apollonius,” in which he proves, 1. That the history of this philosopher is destitute of such proofs as can
be credited. 2. That Philostratus has not written a
|
history, but a romance. 3. That the miracles ascribed tier
Apollonius carry strong marks of falsehood; and that there
is not one which may not be imputed to chance or artifice.
4. That the doctrine of this philosopher is in many particulars opposite to right sense and reason.

Apollonius is said to have written four books on judicial
astrology, and a treatise upon sacrifices, which are now
lost. His general character seems to have been that he
added the arts of an impostor to the learning of a philosopher. Those who are curious, however, in his history,
may meet with copious information in his Life by Philostratus, in Bayle, Brucker, Lardner, and Du Pin. A new
edition of his life was recently published by the rev. Dr
Edward Berwick of Ireland, 1810, 8vo.

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